Not A Small-Town Girl

"We need to get out of here." David muttered, cradling Danielle’s unconscious form in his arms as he strode toward the exit. Seeing the girl’s battered body, his heart clenched. The weapons used against them must have been poisoned—if only he’d gotten there sooner, she wouldn’t be in this condition.

"Call the doctor at Blackpool Village," he ordered Nathan in a low, urgent tone.

"Yes, sir." Nathan didn’t waste a second. There was no signal in this cave, so he pulled out their specialized phone to contact the doctor, emphasizing the need for extra hands—three unconscious bodies meant they needed all the help they could get.

The group navigated through the winding paths, carefully heading out of the cave.

Aran waved his hand. "Get into cover." The words had barely left his lips when gunfire erupted from all sides. There was nowhere to hide near the entrance.

"Inside the cave, now! It’s a trap!" Aran growled, his eyes flashing with fury. "We break out and take care of them. No time to waste. If Danielle has any more setbacks..."

He couldn’t finish the thought. With David’s current regard for her, the mere idea was unimaginable.

"You too," Jaden ordered his bodyguards.

and his team retaliated in a flash, the sound of bullets filling the

but they were skilled. Aran quickly located one of their hidden positions and, like a force of nature, plunged his knife into the chest of an assassin, ending him

lethal speed, firing at Aran, but he smirked, undeterred. "Who sent

side-kicked an assassin squarely in the temple, sending him

"Who sent you?"

Go to hell." One of the assassins drew

head before the knife could strike, his hand steady, his mind sharp. They didn’t have much ammo left. This had to be over

fear. The sounds of gunfire

she

wave of murderous intent seeping into his words. He had no idea who had sent them or

his arms, pale and weakening. David could feel his breathing slowing, and with every shallow breath, his irritation grew. He wanted nothing more than to storm out and

suddenly coughed up blood,

in there, I’ll get you the antidote. Whatever it takes, I will save

never leaving her for a second. He feared the worst—that she might slip away